Manager - Commercial Distribution Planning and Transformation

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious diseases. But we’re more than one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.

Introduction to role:

Are you ready to design and transform the distribution engine that gets life-changing medicines to patients at speed and scale? Step into a high-impact role where your decisions on channels, partners, and processes will directly build product availability, client happiness, and revenue delivery across India.

You will convert aggressive commercial priorities into robust, compliant, and efficient distribution strategies, coordinating with sales, supply, finance, and quality to field with the team. Based in Mumbai, you will help launch new products, optimize a sophisticated network of distributors, super-stockists, and CFAs, and build the capabilities that keep us ahead in fast-changing markets. How would you raise service levels while reducing cost-to-serve and strengthening governance?

Accountabilities:

Strategic Business Planning: Translate business priorities into distribution strategies, including channel design, account coverage, service models, inventory planning principles, and market expansion support, to accelerate patient access and commercial effectiveness.

Distribution Network Strategy: Evaluate and optimize distributor, super-stockist, and CFA or related experience models to improve reach, cost efficiency, service levels, compliance, and scalability, ensuring the network is fit for growth and new launches.

SOP Design and Governance: Own the development, review, simplification, and governance of local distribution SOPs to ensure compliant, efficient, and scalable operations, reducing risk and variability.

Lean Process Design: Identify improvement opportunities across the distribution value stream and standardize processes in coordination with Finance, IT, Legal, Compliance, and other teams to remove waste and speed up execution.

Continuous Improvement: Drive operational excellence using data, root-cause analysis, and collaborator feedback to improve turnaround times, fill rates, customer experience, and working efficiency, with clear critical metric uplift.

Business Planning and Performance Reviews: Contribute to annual planning cycles, distribution risk assessments, and periodic business reviews by providing insights on network health, service performance, process improvement opportunities, and cost improvements.

Cross-functional Transformation Leadership: Collaborate closely alongside Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, Market Access, QA, and brand teams to implement strategic distribution improvements and sustain execution rigor across markets and channels.

Business Impact and Capability Building: Ensure uninterrupted product availability and seamless distribution execution, directly influencing patient access, customer satisfaction, revenue realization, and business continuity while building long-term strategic capabilities.

Crucial Skills/Experience:

MBA from Tier 1 or Premium B-School

Min. 8-12 years of work experience; Min. 3 years in handling distributors and sales territory

At least 2-3 years sales experience

Driven Joint Business Plans with Distributor/Accounts.

Highly skilled in Collaboration to develop alliances and partnerships.

Ability to manage sophisticated situations.

Willingness to travel within India.

Project management certification/ knowledge of tools

Good with MS-Excel and Power point

In-depth understanding of pharma trade practices, distributor management, sales management, AZ processes, Quality and compliance guidelines. Good team and stakeholder management is important. Good Communication skills are must.

Ability to plan thoughtfully and turn business goals into practical distribution and channel strategies

Process design and operational perfection attitude, including experience in simplifying workflows and driving efficiency

Experience in developing, implementing, and governing SOPs within a regulated commercial or supply environment

Strong analytical problem-solving and root-cause diagnosis capability

Ability to lead cross-functional change initiatives in sophisticated collaborator environments

Strong understanding of distribution economics, service metrics, and channel performance drivers

Experience in continuous improvement, preferably using lean principles or structured process improvement methodologies

Desirable Skills/Experience:

Understanding of India Pharma Market and distribution landscape

Ability to think out of box and drive innovation

Excellent writing and communication skills

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

You can find alternative messaging to use in the ‘Global Talent Attraction Story messaging’ section of the Global Playbook on the Employer Brand Portal - try to use other examples in order to make it different for candidates!

So, what’s next?

• Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you.
• Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours.

Where can I find out more?

Our Social Media, Follow AstraZeneca on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/1603/

Follow AstraZeneca on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astrazenecacareers/

Follow AstraZeneca on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astrazeneca_careers/?hl=en

If you have site, country or departmental social media then feel free to switch any of the above links.

Date Posted

13-May-2026

Closing Date

20-May-2026

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity.  We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills.  We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.  We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics.  We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.